Fibroids Removal: Evaluating the Process and Options
Fibroids are non-cancerous tumors made of smooth muscle cells in the uterus, affecting up to 77 percent of women.
Sometimes, it may cause no symptoms, and life can go on smoothly without treatment.
However, if symptoms arise, which include severe pain, heavy periods, or other discomforts, fibroids removal is necessary.
There are many methods available for this purpose, but the ideal one can vary for different individuals based upon severity and the wish to preserve fertility.
Choosing it can depend on your will, symptoms, and the advice of a medical expert.
Before you make up your mind about choosing a particular treatment, read this detailed guide on fibroids removal options to make the right decision.
Fibroids surgery
To get rid of fibroids, many surgical options, major and minor, are available.
For the best suitable option, you must discuss with your doctor before proceeding with the treatment.
Hysterectomy
It is a surgery to remove fibroids, which involves the removal of the uterus.
This surgical option is used in case of large fibroids or excessive bleeding.
You must keep in mind that this option is not reversible.
Moreover, you cannot get pregnant after this procedure as the uterus is removed.
Considering this option depends on whether you plan to get pregnant or not.
To understand the relationship between Fibroids and Pregnancy better, read Fibroids and Pregnancy.
Myomectomy
This method is used to remove fibroids from the walls of the womb.
Depending on the fibroids, it can be carried out through small incisions or open surgery.
Open Myomectomy is a major surgical procedure.
It makes an incision on the abdomen to perform surgery and requires multiple layers of stitches.
On the other hand, a Laparoscopic Myomectomy is a minimally invasive surgery.
It requires four minor incisions to remove fibroids from the uterus.
This surgical method does not make you infertile.
Endometrial Ablation
Unlike major surgeries, this procedure removes only the lining of the uterus.
It can be carried through laser energy or a heated wire loop.
The blood vessels are blocked to cut off the supply from fibroids to shrink them.
Although it is possible to become pregnant after Endometrial Ablation, chances of complications like miscarriage are high.
Is there a robotic surgery for fibroids
With technological advancement, new doors have opened for fibroids surgery.
Robotic Myomectomy is a minimally invasive procedure that uses smaller cuts than standard surgery.
It helps a surgeon perform surgery with fewer complications, minimizing blood loss and hospital stay time while boosting recovery.
Another similar option is a Robotic-assisted Hysterectomy.
Fibroids surgery risks
The risks of fibroid surgery depend on the type.
Risks of Hysterectomy include:
- Ureter damage
- Bladder or bowel damage
- General anesthetic complications
- Blood clots
- Vaginal problems
- Ovary failure
- Early menopause
Risks of Myomectomy include:
- Blood clots
- Increased risk of needing a C-section delivery
- Damage to nearby organs
Risks of Endometrial Ablation include:
- Tearing of the uterine wall or bowel
- Overloading of fluid into the bloodstream
- Miscarriage, if performed during pregnancy
Common risks for all include:
- Bleeding
- Allergic reactions
- Infections
New treatment for fibroids without surgery
Some new methods to treat fibroids without surgery have been discovered.
The first one is Transcervical Radiofrequency Ablation.
It is a minimally invasive procedure but requires no incisions.
This method is safe and uterus-preserving, which means this treatment method does not require removal of the uterus.
The second option explored is a Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist.
They have been approved by the FDA for treating fibroids.
Uterine Artery Embolization (UAE) is also an accepted alternative to surgical methods for large fibroids.
A medical professional performing a UAE interprets the problem through X-rays and scans and cuts off blood supply to fibroids to shrink them.
Besides, other existing non-surgical methods include hormonal birth control and anti-inflammatory medicines.
To know more about non surgical methods, read Fibroids treatment without surgery.
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When to have fibroids removed
If the fibroids cause severe symptoms like pain and start affecting daily life, surgery is needed.
Moreover, when the fibroids are embedded in the muscles or outside the uterus, your doctor may recommend getting surgery done.
The requirement of treatment can also depend on the size of fibroids.
Those bigger than 3 cm in diameter can cause significant pain and pressure, which may demand surgery.
Fibroids removal cost
Fibroids removal or treatment cost depends on the option chosen.
Besides surgery, there are other medical care costs as well that follow.
So, on average, Fibroid treatment cost is as follows:
- UAE: $16,430 to $20,634
- Hysterectomy: $15,180 to $17,390
- Myomectomy: $14,726 to $18,674
- Endometrial Ablation: $12,096 to $13,019
- Non-surgical treatment: $7,460 to $8,257
Conclusion
Fibroids can sometimes cause severe pain, bleeding, and discomfort, which may demand their removal.
Surgical methods like Hysterectomy, Endometrial Ablation, UAE, and Myomectomy are methods used to remove fibroids.
Additionally, non-surgical methods like GnRH antagonist and Transcervical Radiofrequency Ablation are new options to treat fibroids.
Even hormonal birth control and anti-inflammatory drugs can combat symptoms of fibroids.
Overall, the cost of treatment with surgical methods is higher than non-surgical ones.
You can choose an ideal treatment based on the severity of symptoms, cost, and your doctor’s recommendation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can fibroids be removed?
Fibroids can be removed. However, they always do not need removal. If they cause severe pain and discomfort, then surgery can be the right option. Procedures like Hysterectomy, Endometrial Ablation, UAE, and Myomectomy can be used for fibroids removal.
Is Fibroid surgery a major surgery?
Not all fibroid surgeries are major. Open Myomectomy or Hysterectomy are major surgical procedures that require a long incision. Other methods like Endometrial ablation or UAE are minimally invasive procedures.
What size fibroids need surgery?
Large fibroids more than 3 cm in diameter can cause severe pain. So, they require surgery. Smaller ones relatively need no treatment or get better with the use of anti-inflammatory drugs or hormonal birth control. However, in case you experience severe symptoms with small fibroids, you must consult a doctor.
How much for fibroids surgery?
Fibroid surgery cost and medical care depend on the surgery needed. The expenses of the UAE range from $16,430 to $20,634, Hysterectomy ranges from $15,180 to $17,390, Myomectomy ranges from $14,726 to $18,674, and Endometrial Ablation ranges from $12,096 to $13,019.
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